Chiacchia a no-show in court; arrest warrant issued

A warrant has been issued for the arrest of a former Olympic equestrian athlete who failed to attend his court date this week.

Staff report

A warrant has been issued for the arrest of a former Olympic equestrian athlete who failed to attend his court date this week.

Darren Chiacchia, 49, was scheduled to appear before Circuit Judge Hale Stancil on Tuesday for a pre-trial conference, according to court records. When Chiacchia failed to appear, Stancil ruled the defendant would have to come before the bench on Thursday.

When Chiacchia failed to appear Thursday a warrant was issued.

Chiacchia is accused of failing to notify a partner he was HIV positive before engaging in sexual relations. He is charged with a first-degree felony for unlawful acts prior to sex.

Stancil dismissed the charge in 2012, but an appellate court reversed that decision.